4 minute read
HOTEL
MOST LOVED
2020
WINNER
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
FAIRMONT MIRAMAR HOTEL & BUNGALOWS
“Our home is your vacation” goes the proud boast of many Santa Monicans and they are not wrong! Why else would there be so many world class hotels in one crammed into one city?
Sam Jagger is the General Manager of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows on Wilshire Blvd near Palisades Park and the beach. He describes the Fairmont as a place that gives customers the very best experience. “The co-founder of Santa Monica, Senator Jones and his wife Georgina, could choose to build their home anywhere and they chose this wonderful blu overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the dramatic Santa Monica/Malibu coastline. The reason then is the same as it is now: Miramar’s location is simply the best bar none. And people do come because of our location. But they come back time and time again because of our sta . The “Your private residence on the ocean” is how Klaus Mennekes, the Vice President and Managing Director of Shutters on the Beach, describes the iconic Shutters on the Beach hotel, which o ers the traditional hotel experience as well as fine dining, a pool, a spa, and fitness center. Klaus says that this year has been a year unlike any other. He says that while a lot more conversations have been focused around health and wellness as well as safety, the hotel sta has continued to have meaningful conversations with guests about planning a much needed most engaged, friendly and professional as you will find. And of course all of the other experiences we have available, be it our 8th generation jeweler in Avo and his Atelier, Lloyd and his barbershop featuring hot towel shaves paired with a glass of bourbon, outdoor dining, outdoor gym--everything you need to rejuvenate and refresh one’s body and soul.”
Sam says that the hospitality industry has been particularly impacted by the economic struggles of 2020. “when we temporarily suspended our operations (due to state and local regulations), we took the time to study what we needed to do in order to provide an environment that was compliant with new health and safety regulations while still providing a respite from the world’s current woes. We implemented world class protocols to ensure the care
FINALIST
SHUTTERS ON THE BEACH
and safety of our guests and colleagues vacation or staycation. He says they are constantly discussing how they can make guest’s visits more memorable with special touches and in ways which they can share the best Southern California experience. Klaus says that the for the remainder of the pandemic the hotel’s greatest strength is the dedication of their terrific employees, which has always been one of the strengths of the hotel, as well as the idyllic beachside location and the hotel’s attention to service and anticipating the needs of guests. and, through the e orts of our parent company Accor, were able to launch the ALLSAFE program which represents some of the most stringent cleaning standards & operational procedures in the industry. However, thankfully, sitting on 5 acres of open space, we have the natural geographical ability to adapt new standards in a manner that is relaxed, professional and friendly. We have acres of gardens where people are able to dine al fresco; a pool where we one can relax during the day and watch an outdoor movie on a Saturday night. An outdoor pool kitchen serving fresh fare, with most of those ingredients coming from the local farmers markets.” Sam says that their asset for the coming months is the fact that the Fairmont is an oasis in the middle of the city that allows people to forget for a while what is going on in the outside world.
Sam says that the Fairmont is incredibly grateful for the support of the community through a most loved vote. “Our community means everything to us. The Miramar will be celebrating its 100th year anniversary as a hotel in 2021 and we know we would not be getting ready to celebrate that milestone without the support of the Santa Monica community. We do not take our standing in the community lightly or for-granted. We work hard throughout the year to support a broad spectrum of local organizations that work for the betterment of the city. Our town is incredibly special and we are incredibly lucky to be recognized as such an integral part of it.”
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SANTA MONICA PROPER
Proper Hotel
